Church Hoping To Help Africans

June 12, 1998

MIDDLETOWN — The parish of St. Francis of Assisi will launch its ``Africa: Seeds of Hope'' letter-writing campaign after Sunday Masses.

The campaign is a nationwide effort of Christian congregations to urge Congress to address the issue of hunger in African countries, particularly those in the sub-Saharan region where poverty is expected to increase in the next 10 years and where women produce up to 80 percent of the food.

The campaign is sponsored by Bread for the World, which has had a crucial role in ensuring aid to Africa's hungry via the Offering of Letters.

Church members will be asked to write a letter to their representatives in Congress. For those not comfortable with letter writing, a sample letter will be provided. Those who cannot stop by after Mass may call the church at (860) 347-4684 or contact Bread for the World at (301) 608-2400; fax (301) 608- 2401; e-mail:jlstipe@bread.org; or the World Wide Web: http://www.bread.org.